Scientists from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have announced the development of the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery. This revolutionary battery offers a sustainable and efficient solution for a wide range of applications, with the potential to power devices for thousands of years.
How does the carbon-14 diamond battery work?
The carbon-14 diamond battery generates electricity by harnessing the radioactive decay of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating. Surrounded by diamond, one of the hardest materials known, the battery generates electricity by safely trapping the radiation.
Carbon-14 emits short-range radiation that is absorbed by the diamond casing, producing low levels of electricity while ensuring safety. The battery works in a similar way to solar panels, but instead of converting light into electricity, it uses fast-moving electrons produced by radioactive decay. Since carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,700 years, the battery could theoretically work for thousands of years.
They have the potential to be used in a wide range of environments and devices where traditional power sources are impractical. For example, they could revolutionise healthcare by powering implants such as pacemakers, hearing aids and ophthalmic devices. Unlike conventional batteries, which need to be replaced frequently, the diamond battery could last for decades.
What’s more, these batteries could also be useful for space missions. It can power spacecraft, satellites, and even radio frequency (RF) tags for decades, reducing costs and extending their operational life.
Provide a sustainable solution to nuclear waste
The carbon-14 used in these batteries is extracted from graphite blocks, a by-product of nuclear reactors. It can therefore help reduce nuclear waste by enabling the reuse of radioactive material. It also offers a solution to the problem of nuclear waste storage.
